Bennet then approached Miss Louisa Bingley. “Miss Bingley, would you honour me with the first set?” He requested.
Louisa was taken aback. Other than her late father and Charles, no one asked her to dance. Mr Bennet was looking at her eyes, not at the veil hiding her birthmark. “Yes, Mr Bennet. I would be honoured to dance with you,” she managed.
“Miss Bingley, will you dance the next with me? My first set with one of my daughters is the fourth.” Bennet turned to Miss Hildebrand Bingley.
“As much as I appreciate being asked, I no longer dance,” Hildebrand responded. “I leave the activity to you youngsters.” She had a twinkle in her eye when she said the last.
“Miss Bennet, Miss Elizabeth, and Miss Mary, may I request a set from each of you?” Bingley solicited.
“My first is open,” Jane granted.
“I have the third open as I sit out the second,” Elizabeth agreed. She saw the questioning look from all three Bingleys. “With so many young men away fighting in the war, there are significantly more ladies than men. All of us females chuse two sets to sit out to make sure everyone who wants to dance has an opportunity to do so.” She turned to the younger Miss Bingley. “If you are not dancing, I would enjoy your company while I sit out.”
“If I am not asked for that set, then I will gladly sit with you, Miss Elizabeth,” Louisa accepted.
“My second set is open, Mr Bingley,” Mary stated.
“What pleasant people,” Jane remarked as the Bingleys followed Sir William to meet more of their neighbours. “I can see us being friends with Miss Louisa Bingley, if she desires the connection.”
“I agree with you, Jane. I am looking forward to getting to know her better when I sit out. Between us, we sit out six sets. If she is not dancing when it is our turn, we should invite her to sit with us,” Elizabeth suggested. She saw vigorous nodding from her sisters.
Soon, the first set was called; Bennet took to the floor with Miss Bingley, while Mary, whose turn it was to sit out the first, sat with Miss Jones, Franklin Lucas collected Lizzy, and Bingley led Jane Bennet out.
Hildebrand Bingley was beyond pleased that all of the Bennets related to Lulu like anyone else. Her girl deserved such consideration.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
A few minutes before half after seven, while the dancers were lining up for the first set of the night in the assembly hall, Miss Caroline Bingley decided to make her glorious entrance,convinced that Mr Darcy would be ready to admire her. In her mind, the burnt orange ensemble with the matching feathers could not have made her look better. The jewellery dripping from her ears, neck, and arms only made her look more sophisticated.
As she glided down the stairs, Miss Caroline looked down and saw no one waiting to admire her. She decided they were waiting in the drawing room. They were not! How could this be?
She stormed down the stairs to the entrance hall. “WHERE IS EVERYONE?” Miss Caroline screamed as loudly as she could.
“Mr Bingley left this for you, Miss Caroline.” Nichols handed over a sealed note.
Miss Caroline opened the missive roughly, almost tearing it. She read.
4 October 1811
Caroline:
You were warned, and yet you chose not to be ready at the same time as the rest of us. How disrespectful!
Do not ask, because the servants have instructions not to convey you to Meryton. Abuse any of them because of my instructions and banished you will be.
After all of these years you still think that I do not mean what I say. I do;I always do!
Go to your chamber. We will speak on the morrow.
Charles
Had it not been for what Charles wrote, she would havephysically attacked the servants near her. Instead, she stomped up two flights of stairs to the second floor to get to her suite. She slammed her door and unleashed a tantrum.
Chapter 17
Bennet was enjoying his set of dances with Miss Louisa Bingley. Other than when he squired one of his daughters on the dance floor, either at an assembly or for dance lessons at Longbourn, he could not remember a more pleasant time during the activity.
He knew that his dancing was well practiced thanks to being the only thorn among the five roses; so when a male was required by the dance master, unless Gardiner or Phillips happened to be in attendance, it was Bennet who did the honours. Not that he complained. It was good exercise and he derived much pleasure from being around his daughters.
